The Jaintia Students’ Union (Central Body) has issued a strong statement demanding that Jowai be granted the status of Summer Capital of Meghalaya, should Tura be officially declared the Winter Capital. Asserting that Meghalaya belongs equally to the Khasis, Jaintias, and Garos, the Union emphasized that no single community should be left behind when it comes to political and administrative representation.
“If Tura is to become the Winter Capital, then Jowai must be made the Summer Capital. This is not merely a demand, but a call for equal treatment and justice for all three indigenous communities,” said Neilkee Mukhim, General Secretary of the Jaintia Students’ Union.
Pointing to the long-standing underdevelopment in the Jaintia Hills region, the JSU argued that capital status for Jowai would help bridge the developmental gap and promote regional balance. The Union cautioned that any unilateral decision by the state government to favor one region could provoke unrest.
“The Jaintia Hills have been neglected for far too long. If our rightful place continues to be denied, we will not hesitate to launch democratic protests and agitations,” Mukhim warned.
Reiterating its stand, the JSU declared that the people of the region will no longer remain silent in the face of discrimination. “We will resolutely fight for our fair share. Equal status must reflect in both policy and symbolism, and for that, Jowai must be named a seasonal capital too,” the Union stated.
